The technique of reconstruction the settlements fortifications of X–XVI centuries in the Middle Volga

• Published in: Povolžskaâ arheologiâ Vol. 3; no. 13; pp. 125 - 143
• Main Author: Gubaidullin, Airat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Russian
• Published: Academy of Sciences of Tatarstan, A.Kh. Khalikov Archaeology Institute 25.09.2015
• Subjects: fortification constructions; reconstruction technique; sfortified settlements; the Middle Age
• ISSN: 2306-4099; 2500-2856
• DOI: 10.24852/pa2015.3.13.125.143

The article deals with archaeological data on defensive structures of medieval settlements and in particular on the monuments of fortification of Volga Bulgaria and the Kazan Khanate. In this regard, an important aim is to establish their original appearance. The author gives a reconstruction technique the medieval fortifications, located on the territory of the Middle Volga. On the basis of significant information the author attempts to determine the original appearance of defensive structures, based on the results of archaeological research. The materials of the excavation of several settlements that existed in the X–VI centuries are represented as an example. The author analyzes each monument of military architecture, discusses its characteristics and analogies. Technological methods of construction of some medieval military fortifications are also considered. These include various types of structures made of wood and soil, which have been marked by researchers long ago. In addition, it is known a large number of defensive embankments constructed only from the ground. Therefore in order to reconstruct them it is necessary to have data of their composition. This can provide the information about their original shape and size. Thus, some regularity in the definition of basic and additional fortifications can be traced. The author points at the need for theoretical developments for a general reconstruction of defensive sites reflected in the literature on fortifications.